Weaving machine

ABSTRACT

The weaving machine is provided with a supporting structure above the machine base on which the cloth beam is mounted. A mechanism is also provided to allow an empty cloth beam to be rolled up onto the supporting structure or a full cloth beam to be rolled off the supporting structure. The cloth is drawn off the cloth end of the machine base and guided about an access passageway upwardly to the supporting structure for winding onto the cloth beam.

United States Patent 1 Piarrwaller [54] WEAVING MACHINE [75] Inventor: Erwin Piarrwaller, Winterthur,

Switzerland [73] Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Ltd.-, Winterthur,

Switzerland [22] Filed: April 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 131,119

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data April 9, 1970 Switzerland ..5239/70 [52] US. Cl. ..139/1, 139/97, 139/304 [51] Int. Cl. ...D03d 49/00, D03d 49/02, D03d 49/20 [58] Field 01' Search ..139/1, 97, 99, 304, 307, 308',

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,811,176 10/1957 Mangum ..l39/304 X 3,502,115 3/1970 Barnett ..139/1 2,338,638 1/1944 ....l39/307 2,068,534 1/1937 ....139/304 2,424,400 7/1947 Kronoff ..139/1 1 Jan.2,1973

2,746,489 5/1956 Rogers ..139/304 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,018,409 1/1966 Great Britain ..139/304 431,300 7/1935 Great Britain ..139/99 485,053 3/1970 Switzerland 139/304 1,132,170 10/1968 Great Britain ..139/1 1,11 1,221 4/1968 Great Britain ..28/42 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Saco-Lowell Bulletin February 1969 page 12 139-1.

Primary Examiner-James Kee Chi Attorney-Kenyon & Kenyon Reilly Carr & Chapin [57] ABSTRACT The weaving machine is provided with a supporting structure above the machine base on which the cloth beam is mounted. A mechanism'is also providedto allow an empty cloth beam to be rolled up onto the supporting structure or a full cloth beam to be rolled off the supporting structure. The cloth is drawn off the cloth end of the machine base and guided about an access passageway upwardly to the supporting structure for winding onto the cloth beam.

15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures WEAVlNG MACHINE The invention relates to a weaving machine with a cloth beam situated on a supporting structure above a weaving-machine base.

Depending on operating conditions or the type of cloth being made, economic reasons'often demand that a weaving machine be provided with warp and/or cloth beams whose roll diameters are as large as possible, in order, for example, to reduce the time during which the machine is idle when the beams are changed or when the warp is prepared and/or the cloth is laid on.

Cloth beams with large roll diameters are required, for example, when making cloth from filament yarns, staple goods in cotton weaving mills and backings for carpets and tires, in order to have the longest possible length of cloth available in one piece for further processing, such as the printing or dyeing of the cloth or the application of the carpet pile. However, when large warp and cloth beams are used, care .must be taken that all parts of the machine are accessible over the entire width of the machine as far as the heald shafts, both from the warp end (e.g. to repair broken warps or for work on the shafts, etc.) and from the cloth end (e.g. to repair broken wefts). For this reason, there is a limit to the overall height of the machine.

In one known machine, large warp and cloth beams can be mounted one above the other on a common supporting structure situated beside the weaving-machine base. For reasons of space, however, this arrangement is not suitable for all mills.

As an alternative, the cloth beam has been mounted above the weaving-machine base on a supporting framework standing on the base at the warp end. The cloth is passed from the cloth end of the machine beneath the base, along the floor to the warp end and then up past the warp roll to the cloth beam. However, the cloth running from the floor to the cloth beam bars access to the heald shafts and, for example, to the warp stop motions from the warp end during operation of the machine.

Further, the changing of relatively heavy beams requires corresponding lifting devices. In the known arrangements, guiderails for the lifting equipment have been provided on the roof of the weaving shed or mill.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to create a weaving machine of simple and compact construction which can take a cloth beam of exceptionally large roll diameter while requiring very little floor space.

It is another object of the invention to eliminate the need for load bearing components mounted on the roof or walls of a weaving mill for inserting and removing beams from a weaving machine.

It is another object of the invention to provide a weaving machine which is capable of having large diameter cloth beams removed therefrom in a simple operation.

Briefly, the invention provides a weaving machine with a supporting structure mounted above the base of the machine upon which acloth beam is received. In addition, the weaving machine is provided with a mechanism for lifting an empty cloth beam into place on the supporting structure and for lowering a full cloth beam from the supporting structure. The weaving machine also has a guide means for drawing the cloth from the machine base through a guide path which forms an access passageway at the cloth end of the machine base and which directs the cloth to the cloth beam on the overhead supporting structure.

The supporting structure comprises two parallel supporting members with tracks which extend into the longitudinal direction of this structure and which are inclined relative to the horizontal for guiding both ends of the cloth beam and parts of the mechanism for lifting and lowering the cloth beam. in addition, the guide means for the cloth has a guiding or deflecting element for the cloth which is to be rolled provided substantially above the cloth end of the weaving-machine base.

This novel arrangement is particularly advantageous in a weaving mill where space is restricted and the piece lengths produced must be as long as possible. The guiding of the cloth is simpler than in the known arrangements, and the weaving machine is freely accessible from the cloth end. Since the machine has its own mechanism for lifting and lowering the cloth beam, the machine can be sited almost anywhere in the mill building, so that the available floor area of the weaving mill is used to the full, for example, if changes in operating conditions make it desirable to rearrange the machines. The sloping tracks of the supporting structure also facilitate the changing of the cloth beam. The full cloth beam, whose axle slides along the supporting members, can, depending on the height of the tracks, run along the tracks until the roll comes to bear on the floor or until the beam runs onto a part of. the machine down which the beam can roll.

in a particularly stable arrangement, according to another feature of the invention, the supporting structure extends substantially over the ground plan of the machine and comprises columns which can be fixed to the cloth end and warp end of the weaving-machine base.

In a particularly simple embodiment of the invention, the mechanism for lifting and lowering the cloth beam comprises a tensioning means and slackening tension means which can be fixed to the cloth beam. Thus, an empty cloth beam can be inserted quickly and safely by an operator by means of the the tensioning means while a full cloth beam can be lowered slowly to the floor from an operative position by slackening of the tension means via the slackening tension means.

In order to make particularly good use of the floor area available in a weaving mill or shed, the tracks of the two supporting members may lie in a plane which slopes from the cloth end of the weaving machine towards the warp end of the machine. Only a small proportion of the available floor area need then be reserved for conveying the cloth and warp beams. The cloth beam and warp bean can then be inserted from the same end (the warp end) of the weaving machine, and when changed they can be removed from the same end. Only a relatively narrow passageway or gangway need therefore be left at the cloth end of the machine. As a result, the machines can be set up close together with their cloth ends facing one another.

The weaving machine can be constructed so that there is at least one guiding or driving beam arranged parallel to the cloth beam axle which cooperates with the periphery of the cloth beam or cloth roll placed loosely thereon. In this construction, the tension means is fixed to the axle of the cloth beam while the mechanism for lifting and lowering the cloth beam I bodying the invention from the cloth end, the cloth end of the base of the weaving machine is provided,at a

slight predetermined height above the floor, with a first deflecting element and a second deflecting element, the latter element being spaced from he base by a distance equal to the width of a gangway for the operators, and, at a height corresponding to the height required for the gangway, with a further deflecting element to guide the cloth. With this arrangement, almost the entire length of the cloth moving from the machine base to the cloth beam is accessible for any checks or repairs.

In order to enable the mechanism for lifting and lowering the cloth beam to be used to change the warp beam, the supporting structure is provided with a guiding element for the tension means. This element is situated above that portion of the weaving machine which receives the warp beam.

In an embodiment of the invention having two mutually adjacent driving and/or guiding beams co-operating with the periphery of the cloth beam, at least one of the driving and/or guiding beams is mounted on mountings which are movable transversely relative to the tracks of the supporting members and which can be fixed in position. By adjusting the movable beam, the axles of both these driving and/or guiding beams, which are at the same heights during operation, can be brought into a plane which is inclined relative to the horizontal to correspond approximately to the inclination of the track. In this way, the cloth beam over-j balances when the tension means is slackened and rolls off the two driving and/or guiding beams as a result of gravity.

In order to keep the space in front of or behind the weaving machine clear during operation, the supporting members are provided with oblique, detachable guide-rails for the cloth beam, which rails end at or slightly above the floor.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevational view of a weaving machine embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a vertical section along a line II--II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view taken along lines III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view through the machine shown in FIG. 1 along line V-V of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a horizontal sectional view taken along line VI-Vl of FIG. 5.

FIG.:1 shows only those components of the weaving machine which are essential to the description of the invention. The weaving machine has a base 1 on which a supporting structure 2 is mounted. The base 1 com prises two uprights 3, 3a, interconnected by crossbeams (not shown) and fixed to members 4 on the floor of the weaving shed or mill. In the vicinity of the base 1, the members 4 taper from the warp end to the cloth end of this base so as to tilt the machine 1 as shown.

At the warp end of the base 1, which ishigher than the cloth end, a warp beam bearing 5 and a bracket 6 are fixed to each upright 3, 3a. A carrier beam 7 is mounted on the bracket 6 and carries two pivotable mountings 8, in which the ends of a tension beam 9 are rotatably mounted. The warp beam bearings 5 carry a warp beam 10, comprising a warp beam core 12 wound with warps 11, and two yarn retaining discs 13 which are fixed to the core 12 and define the ends of the roll of warp.

Between the uprights 3, 3a, there are two guide rods 14 for the warps 11, a plurality of heald shafts l5 and a sley 16 with a reed 17 as is known. The sley 16 is fixed to a shaft 18, which is driven from the main shaft 19 of the weaving machine 1 and made to rock as indicated by arrows 20. At the cloth end of the base 1, there are a breast beam 21, which connects the uprights 3, 3a, a rough-surfaced sand beam (cloth draw-off roller) 22 mounted on the uprights 3, 3a, a pinch roller 23 bearing on the sand beam 22, and a guide rod 24.

The supporting structure 2 comprises two parallel supporting members 25, 25a, which are situated above the uprights 3, 3a and each of which is mounted on two columns 26, 27 (FIG. 1) and 26a, 27a (FIG. 5) releasably fixed to the uprights 3, 3a. The columns 27, 27a at the cloth end of the base 1 are higher than the columns 26, 26a at the warp end so that the members 25, 25a incline towards the warp end. The ends of the members 25, 25a above the cloth end are connected by a tube 28 which extends across the width of the supporting structure 2 while the ends 29 of the members 25, 25a at the warp end project beyond the base 1. Each end 29 is also secured by an additional strut 26' joined to a respective column 26, 26a.

Each of the members 25, 25a comprises a hollow box-girder section (FIG. 2) consisting of a channel section 31 and a web plate 32 which connects the flanges of the channel section 31. The two members 25, 25a carry the ends of an axle 33 situated approximately above the heald shafts 15. (FIGS. 1, 4 and S) on which a driving beam 34 with a friction surface is rotatably mounted. In addition, two rocking levers 35, 35a are disposed at opposite ends of the driving beam 34 and each is fixed at one end by a clamping means (not shown) to the axle 33. The rocking levers 35, 35a also carry an axle 36 on which a smooth-surfaced guiding beam 37 is rotatably mounted. The driving beam 34 and guiding beam 37 have stepped ends, as shown in FIG. 4, on which a chain sprocket 38, 39 respectively, is fixed to those ends closer to lever 35a. A smaller chain sprocket 40 between the sprockets 38 and 39 is mounted on a pivot pin fixed to the lever 35a. The free arms of the rocking levers 35, 35a are pivoted on the upper ends of an upright adjusting spindle 41 which cooperates with a nut 42 pivoted on each member 25, 25a. The lower ends of both spindles 41 have handwheels 43. This construction is such that the rocking levers 35, a can be pivoted about the axle 33 by rotation of the handwheels 43.

Each member 25, 25a, also carries a downwardly projecting side bar 44, 44a which is fixed to the inside while the side bars 44, 44a rotatably mount a deflecting roller therein across the width of the supporting structure 2. The end of the deflecting roller 45 closer to member 25a carries a sprocket 46 (FIG. 5) which cooperates with a pair of sprockets 71, 72 and a tensioning pinion 73 mounted on column 27a. In addition, the sprocket 46 cooperates with a sprocket 75 mounted on the free end of a lever 74 which is pivotally secured on the axle of the sprocket 72.

When the rocking levers 35, 350 are in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the axles 33, 36 are at the same heights. Their distance from one axle 33 to the other axle 36 is such that the distance between the running surfaces of the driving beam 34 and guiding beam 37 is smaller than the minimum roll diameter of a cloth beam 76, which when weaving begins (when the beam 76 is in the position 76' shown by chain-lines in FIG. 1) is laid with its periphery directly on the two beams 34, 37 and when full (the position shown by solid lines in FIG. 1) rests on the beams 34, 37 by way of the periphery of the cloth roll 77.

Referring to FIG. 2 the cloth beam 76 has an axle on each end of which shaped runners 78 are rotatably mounted for supporting the beam 76 in its lowest position 76' on the supporting members 25, 25a, whose upper surfaces form tracks 79 for the runners 78. Each end of the cloth beam axle carries a rotatable ring 80 between the runners 78 which is attached to one end of a load chain (round steel chain) 81. I

In order to secure the ends of the cloth beam 76, which rises as the roll diameter increases, two bent guide bars 82 are fixed to the outsides of the members 25, 250. These guide bars 82 extend vertically over approximately the radius of the largest cloth roll 77 which can be produced. The upper ends of the bars 82 are connected to two plates 47, 47a fixed to the outsides of the members 25, 25a above the columns 27, 27a.

A mechanism 85 for lifting and lowering a cloth beam 76 is mounted in the plates 47, 47a. This mechanism 85 includes a bearing 48 (FIG. 3) mounted above the cloth end of the base 1 in each plate 47, 47a which carries a shaft 49. The shaft 49, in turn, has a gearwheel 50 and a sprocket 51 keyed onto that end portion mounted in the plate 47 while a sprocket 51a fits loosely on the other end portion and is connected by pins 52 to a flange 53 keyed on the shaft 49. The pins 52 are set in the flange 53 and can be inserted in various holes suitably arranged in the sprocket 51a. The ends of the shaft 49 which project from the bearings 48 are provided with locking rings 54.

The gearwheel 50 meshes with a pinion 55 supported on a shaft 56. This shaft 56 is mounted in a bushing 57 fixed to the plate 47 and carries, on the end projecting from the outside of the plate 47, a keyed worm gear 58 which meshes with a self-locking worm 59. The worm 59 is mounted in a bearing 61 (FIG. 1) on the plate 47 and carries a freely suspended adjusting rod 60, which is pivoted by means of a universal joint and is provided with a hand crank 63 at a suitable height for the operators.

A chain pulley 65 is mounted on the bushing 57 to cooperate with a similar pulley 65 on a pivot pin 64 fixed to the plate 47a. Another chain pulley 66 with a larger diameter is provided on each of the two plates 47, 47a in the area adjacent to the highest possible position of the cloth beam 76. Each of these chain pulleys 66 is mounted on a pivot 67 fixed to the associated plate 47, 47a and to a side bar 68, 68a attached to the supporting member 25, 25a therebelow. The two plates 47, 47a are connected by a safety rod 69 above the chain pulley 66, and safety plates 70 are fixed to the plates 47, 47a in the vicinity of the sprocket 51, 51a (FIG. 1).

The sprockets 51, 51a and chain pulleys 65, 66 are located above the center lines of the members 25, 25a.

The ends 29 of the members 25, 25a above the warp end of the machine are provided with respective chain pulleys 86 which are mounted inside the supporting member cross-section and rest loosely on a pivot 87 (FIG. 4), carried by the web of the channel section 31.

and by the web plate 32, and having outwardly projecting ends. The flanges of the channel sections 31 are cut away in the vicinity of the chain pulleys 86 while the corners of the webs of the channels sections 31 and web plates 32 are rounded with a radius greater than the external radius of the chain pulley 86.

The load chain 81 runs from the ends of the cloth beam 76 over the chain pulleys 66, sprockets 51 and 51a and chain pulleys 65 into two tubes 83 fixed to the plates 47, 47a (FIG. 1). The openings of these tubes 83 face the chain pulleys 65, and their longitudinal axes extend tangentially relative to these pulleys 65. The tubes 83 slope down from the plates 47, 47a, bend at about the level of the tube 28 and run vertically down to the floor of the weaving mill at a distance from the cloth end of the base 1 corresponding to the width 'of a gangway 84 provided to permit access by an operator. The lower ends of the tubes 83 are fixed to respective members 88 belonging to a detachable platform 89 for the operators which extends across the width of the machine 1. The two tubes 83 are held at the sides by two horizontal connecting tubes 90 fixed to the vertical portions thereof.

The operators platform 89 rests on two sections 91,

92 fixed to the members 88, which are fixed to the members 4 or rest on the floor.

During operation, the warp yarns 11 run from the warp beam 10 over the tension beam 9, carrier beam 7 and guide rods 14 to the heald shafts 15, which fonn a shed 93, and through the heald shafts 15 to the fell 94. In the shed 93, a weft is picked by picking means (not shown), then severed and beaten up by the reed 17 into the fell 94 in the apex of the shed 93, where the cloth 95 begins. The finished cloth 95 runs over the breast beam 21, around the sand beam 22 and pinch roller 23, then over the guide rods 24 and a deflecting bar 96 fixed to the section 91 and beneath the operators platform 89, whereupon the cloth passes round a deflecting bar 97 fixed to the section 92 and continues vertically upwards (outside the gangway 84) to a further deflecting bar 98 fixed to the upper member 90, before finally running over the tube 28, deflecting roller 45 and guiding beam 37 to the cloth beam 76. The cloth 95 is fed tangentially to the cloth beam 76 and wound thereon as indicated by an arrow 1 10.

The drive for the warp beam 10 is derived by way of drive means (not shown) from the main shaft 19. The movements of all the other mechanisms in the weaving machine, for example the heald shafts l5 and tension beam 9, are also controlled from the main shaft 19.

Referring to FIG. 6 the sand beam 22 is driven by way of a gear wheel 100 on the shaft 99 of the sand beam 22. In addition, a freely rotatable chain sprocket 104 is mounted between two plates 101, 102 belonging to a sliding clutch 103, on that end portion of the shaft 99 closer to the upright 3a. The plates 101, 102 each have friction surfaces 105. One plate 101 is rigidly connected to the shaft 99, whereas the other plate 102 is axially displaceable along the shaft 99 and is pushed sideways against the sprocket 104 by means of a tension spring 106, which bears on the sand beam 22 and is preferably adjustable. A sliding feather key 107 fixed to the shaft 99 engages in a corresponding groove in the plate 102 in order to guide the plate 102 axially and prevent the plate 102 from rotating.

The cloth beam 76, in turn, is driven by the sprocket 104 of the sand beam 22 by way of an endless roller chain 108, which runs over the sprocket 71 in the direction indicated by arrow 109 (FIG. 5) to the sprockets 38, 40, 39 and over the sprockets 46, 72 and tensioning pinion 73 back to the sprocket 104. The sprocket 75 mounted on the lever 74 rests on that portion of the roller chain 108 between the sprockets 46 and 72.

The sprockets 38, 39 have equal numbers of teeth, somewhat fewer than those on the sprocket 104. As a result, these sprockets 38, 39 are driven with some lead over the sprocket 104, so that the cloth 95 is tensioned. The sprocket 40 deflects the roller chain 108 away from the periphery of the cloth beam 76 or cloth roll 77 lying on top of the beams 34, 37.

When weaving begins, a full warp beam 10 is inserted in the warp beam bearings 5, and an empty cloth beam 76 is laid on the driving beam 34 and guiding beam 37, to take up the position 76'. If the warp is the same as the warp used in the previous weaving operation, the new warps 11 are tied to the waiting yarns of the old warp, and the end of thecloth 95 cut off the cloth beam previously used is passed between the guiding beam 37 and the new cloth beam 76 and is fixed to the latter.

The warp beam 10 is driven intermittently in the direction indicated by an arrow 111 (FIG. 1), to let off a length of warp equal to the length of cloth drawn off. By means of the tension beam 9, which is biased by springs (not shown), the required tension is produced in the warps 11 (or 11 in the case of a full warp beam) and the drive for the warp beam 10 is operated in a known manner.

The cloth beam 76 is also driven intermittently, in a direction indicated by the arrow 110. The driving force from the rough-surfaced driving beam 34 is transmitted directly to the cloth beam 76 when the latter is in its lowest position 76. As the cloth is rolled up, the first layer of cloth comes between the cloth beam 76 and driving beam 34 and then, in the vicinity of the guiding beam 37, beneath the newly arrived second layer of cloth, so that the cloth beam 76 rises and the friction from the driving beam 34 acts on the growing roll 77 of cloth. The cloth beam 76 lifts as the roll diameter increases, and the originally taut load chain portions 81 between the ring and chain pulleys 66 slacken and sag.

The maximum transmissible driving force from the driving beam 34 depends on the adjustment of the tension spring 106 in the sliding clutch 103 (FIG. 6). As soon as the resistance to be overcome during operation of the cloth beam 76 exceeds a predetermined maximum, the plate 102 slips past the sprocket 104, interrupting the drive and preventing excessive cloth ten- SlOll.

When the warp beam 10 has been emptied as far as the core 12 and the cloth beam 76 is full, as shown in FIG. 1, the cloth is severed at the cloth beam 76. At the warp beam 10, the warps 11 are removed from the core 12 and placed ready for tying to a new warp.

The head cranks 63 are then operated to turn the sprockets 51, 51a clockwise by way of the worm transmission 58, 59, until the load chains 81 are tensioned between the ends of the warp beam 76 and the chain pulleys 66 as indicated by a line 81b (FIG. 1 The free ends of the chains 81, which lie loosely in the tubes 83, slide towards the floor from, for example, a position 810. To compensate for any differences in length between the two chain portions 81b, the sprocket 51a (FIG. 3) can, if the pins 52 are released, be turned relative to the flange 53 and then refastened by means of the pins in a suitable position.

The two rocking levers 35, 35a are then pivoted downwards by turning the spindles 41 until the handwheels 43 occupy the position 43 shown with chain-lines in FIG. 1 so that the guiding beam 37 is moved away from the cloth roll 77 into the position 37'. The sprockets 39, 40 therefore take up positions 39, 40' (FIG. 5). The driving chain portion 108' which is thereby slackened is kept taut by the sprocket 75, which as a result of its own weight or that of the suitably designed rocking lever 74 takes up the position 75 The spindles 41 can be adjusted either simultaneously, by two operators, or, if movable bearings are provided for the guiding beam 37, one after the other.

When the guiding beam 37 has dropped, the cloth roll 77, now resting only on the driving beam 33, is held back by the tensioned load chain 81 and the selflocking worm transmission 58, 59, and can now be lowered.

The hand cranks 63 are thereafter operated to turn the sprockets 51, 51a anticlockwise in FIG. 1, so that the load chain 81 runs to the left and the cloth roll 77 rolls off the driving beams 34 into the position 77' and then over the guiding beam 37, which is in its lower position 37, into the position 77 During this operation the axle of the cloth beam 76 carries out arcuate movements about the axles 33 and 36, as indicated by lines 112', 112". In position 77 the ends of the cloth beam 76 lie by way of the runners 78 (78") on the tracks 79 on the supporting members 25, 25a and are held back by the tensioned portions 81" of the load chains 81.

The load chain 81 is further slackened, and the runners 78 (78) slide over the ends 29 of the supporting members onto two oblique guide-rails 113, 113a, which are supported on the floor and are removably fixed by respective side bars 114 to the projecting ends of the axles 87 (FIG. 4). As the load chains 81 drop, they come to lie over the chain pulleys 86 and become guided thereby. Alternatively, the guide rails 113, 113a may end at a suitable height above the ground and, for example, be supported on the members 4.

The cloth roll 77 finally takes up the position 77", from which, for example, the roll 77 may be placed on a trolley (not shown). The load chains 81 are then released from the runners 78 (78") and the cloth roll 77 is taken away. Alternatively, of course, the roll 77 may be lowered directly to the floor.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the cloth roll 77 runs onto the carrier beam 7 and tension beam 9 between its positions 77" and 77". In this area, therefore, the runners 78 are lifted off the guide-rails 113, 113a. If it is undesireable that the relatively heavy cloth roll 77 should apply such pressure, the tension beam 9 may be pivoted downwards or the carrier beam 7 designed to shift towards the machine base 1.

When the load chain 81 is let off (slackened), the loose ends thereof are pulled up inside the tubes 83 until they reach a position 81d substantially corresponding to the length 81" of chain let off. The free ends of the chains 81 may be weighted with a ball or the like. The safety rod 69 and safety plates 70 prevent the chains 81 from slipping out of the sprockets 51, 51a or pulleys 66.

When a new cloth beam is inserted, the load chains 81 are fixed to the ends of the beam and pulled up by means of the sprockets 51, 51a which are moved clockwise by means of the cranks 63. The empty cloth beam slides on the runners 78 over the guide rails 113, 113a and members 25, 25a until the beam reaches the position 76, in which position the beam is held by the portion 81' of the load chains and bears on the driving beam. The cloth 95 is then attached to the cloth beam 76, and the guiding beam 37 is pivoted back into the operative position (shown by solid lines in FIG. I), to aid in the support of the cloth beam 76.

The chain portions 81" running over the pulleys 86 may, when they have been released from the lowered cloth beam and possibly when the guide-rails 113, 113a have been removed, be connected to the ends of the warp beam core 12, 12" as shown by line Me. By tensioning and slackening the load chain 81, the empty warp beam 10 can be removed from the bearing and placed on the ground, or a new warp beam can be placed in the bearing 5.

The supporting structure 2 in the arrangement embodying the invention may advantageously be of light construction, so that as to be put on and taken off easi- .ly. Since the supporting structure 2 is a substantially independent structural unit, the structure 2 can be mounted on existing machine without making any extensive alterations. It is merely necessary to provide suitable supports on the uprights 3, 3a for the columns 26, 27, 26a, 27a, and to insert a new sand beam 22, which must be connected to the drive means for the cloth beam, or to connect some other part of the weaving machine drive (for example, the main shaft 19) to the corresponding drive means.

Alternatively, the supporting structure may be separate from the weaving-machine base, with columns standing, for example, on the floor beside the uprights.

The mechanism for lifting and lowering the cloth beam 76 may be constructed in various ways. For example, the worm transmission 58, 59 may be motor driven. Similarly, some other tension meansmay be used, such as a load cable wound onto a cable drum,

etc. Alternatively, instead of mechanisms of this type,

there might be two pulley tackles suspended, for exam- 5 ple, in the vicinity of the clain pulleys 66, or similar conventional lifting means.

It is noted that the guide rails 113, 113a can be disen gaged from the supporting members 25, 25a when not in use so as to provide an unobstructed space at the warp end of the weaving machine.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a weaving machine having a base with a warp end and a cloth end;

a supporting structure mounted over said base for supporting a cloth beam thereon, said supporting structure having a pair of parallel supporting members extending longitudinally of said base and being inclined to a horizontal plane, and a track extending along each supporting member for supporting one end of a cloth beam received thereon;

a mechanism mounted on said supporting structure for lifting and lowering a cloth beam onto said supporting structure; and

a guide means for directing a cloth from said base through a path to a cloth beam mounted on said supporting structure, said guide means having deflecting elements positioned above said cloth end of said base within said supporting structure.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said supporting structure extends over the ground plan of said weaving machine and includes a plurality of columns supporting said supporting structure in spaced relation over said base.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said columns are fixed onto said base to support said supporting structure on said base.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mechanism includes a first means for removable connection to a cloth beam, means for tensioning said first means with a cloth beam connected thereto, and means for slackening tension in said first means.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein each said supporting member slopes from said cloth end towards said warp end of said base.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 which further includes at least one driving beam mounted in said supporting structure for driving the periphery of a cloth beam loosely mounted thereon, and wherein said mechanism further includes a guiding element situated above said driving beam for guiding said first means upon connection of said first means to the cloth beam.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said supporting structure includes a guiding element above said warp end of said base for guiding said first 'means thereon.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which further includes a first deflecting element at said cloth end of said base, a second deflecting element spaced from said base, and a third deflecting element spaced above said second deflecting element, said deflecting elements being spaced apart to guide and deflect a cloth passing from said base about an access passageway adjacent to said cloth end of said base.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which further includes a guiding beam and a mutually adjacent driving beam mounted in said supporting structure for mounting a cloth beam thereon, at least one of said guiding beam and driving beam being movable transversely of each said track of said supporting members, and means for fixing said one beam in position.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which further includes a pair of guide rails detachably connected to and extending from said supporting members in a downwardly directed oblique plane for rolling of a cloth beam thereon.

11. The combination as set forth in claim which further includes at least one driving beam mounted in said supporting structure for driving a cloth beam thereon, and wherein said mechanism includes a pair of load chains for removable connection to a cloth beam, and means for tensioning said chain to pull a cloth beam upwardly along said guide rails onto said supporting member tracks and onto said driving beam.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 1 1 wherein said means for tensioning includes a manually operated crank for actuation thereof.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said weaving machine includes a sand beam for driving a cloth from said base, said sand beam being drivingly inclined direction from said operative position for receiving one end of a cloth beam thereon, a mechanism for lifting and lowering a cloth beam onto and from said tracks at a position spaced from said operative position, a driving beam connected across said supporting members for driving the periphery of a cloth beam loosely mounted thereon, and columns secured to said supporting member to support said members in an elevated position over a weaving machine.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein said mechanism includes a first means for removable connection to a cloth beam, means for tensioning said first means with a cloth beam connected thereto, and means for slackening tension in said first means.

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1. In combination with a weaving machine having a base with a warp end and a cloth end; a supporting structure mounted over said base for supporting a cloth beam thereon, said supporting structure having a pair of parallel supporting members extending longitudinally of said base and being inclined to a horizontal plane, and a track extending along each supporting member for supporting one end of a cloth beam received thereon; a mechanism mounted on said supporting structure for lifting and lowering a cloth beam onto said supporting structure; and a guide means for directing a cloth from said base through a path to a cloth beam mounted on said supporting structure, said guide means having deflecting elements positioned above said cloth end of said base within said supporting structure.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said supporting structure extends over the ground plan of said weaving machine and includes a plurality of columns supporting said supporting structure in spaced relation over said base.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said columns are fixed onto said base to support said supporting structure on said base.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mechanism includes a first means for removable connection to a cloth beam, means for tensioning said first means with a cloth beam connected thereto, and means for slackening tension in said first means.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein each said supporting member slopes from said cloth end towards said warp end of said base.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 which further includes at least one driving beam mounted in said supporting structure for driving the periphery of a cloth beam loosely mounted thereon, and wherein said mechanism further includes a guiding element situated above said driving beam for guiding said first means upon connection of said first means to the cloth beam.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said supporting structure includes a guiding element above said warp end of said base for guiding said first means thereon.
 8. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which further includes a first deflecting element at said cloth end of said base, a second deflecting element spaced from said base, and a third deflecting element spaced above said second deflecting element, said deflecting elements being spaced apart to guide and deflect a cloth passing from said base about an access passageway adjacent to said cloth end of said base.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which further includes a guiding beam and a mutually adjacent driving beam mounted in said supporting structure for mounting a cloth beam thereon, at least one of said guiding beam and driving beam being movable transversely of each said track of said supporting members, and means for fixing said one beam in position.
 10. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which further includes a pair of guide rails detachably connected to and extending from said supporting members in a downwardly directed oblique plane for rolling of a cloth beam thereon.
 11. The combination as set forth in claim 10 which further includes at least one driving beam mounted in said supporting structure for driving a cloth beam thereon, and wherein said mechanism includes a pair of load chains for removable connection to a cloth beam, and means for tensioning said chain to pull a cloth beam upwardly along said guide rails onto said supporting member tracks and onto said driving beam.
 12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein Said means for tensioning includes a manually operated crank for actuation thereof.
 13. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said weaving machine includes a sand beam for driving a cloth from said base, said sand beam being drivingly connected to said driving beam to impart a tension in a cloth between said sand beam and said driving beam.
 14. A supporting structure for mounting a cloth beam over a weaving machine in a predetermined operative position, said structure including a pair of parallel supporting members, a track extending along each supporting member and sloping in a downwardly inclined direction from said operative position for receiving one end of a cloth beam thereon, a mechanism for lifting and lowering a cloth beam onto and from said tracks at a position spaced from said operative position, a driving beam connected across said supporting members for driving the periphery of a cloth beam loosely mounted thereon, and columns secured to said supporting member to support said members in an elevated position over a weaving machine.
 15. The combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein said mechanism includes a first means for removable connection to a cloth beam, means for tensioning said first means with a cloth beam connected thereto, and means for slackening tension in said first means. 